Advanced-powered sliding or guillotine door trap system for cage or corral-type animal traps

ABSTRACT

A trap door system for sliding trap doors or guillotine-style traps has a door guide assembly in which a door of a trap slides. The system provides a powered door using a door spring arming assembly having compression springs and spring slides situated on door supports. With the door open, the spring slides compress the compression springs and engage a door spring stop to bias the door toward a closed position. The door is spring loaded so that when a support mechanism with trigger is operated to release a catch assembly, the door rapidly closes. The catch assembly includes a spring to bias the catch arm to position for locking the door once closed. The support mechanism may be situated to operate multiple doors using the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to powered cage trap systems, and,particularly, to an improved spring powered guillotine door system forcage traps.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the years have progressed, the use of powered cage trap systems hasevolved slowly. Some traps now use power trigger systems, and progresshas sped up and set new expectations for powered door systems to be usedfor cage traps and corral traps. These expectations have yet to be metwith respect to a powered guillotine door system, as such innovation hasbeen slow to evolve until the present invention because of the knowabilities and limitations of triggers and trigger assemblies. However, aneed exists for a more advanced powered guillotine door system that willincrease the ability of a guillotine door cage trap to be used on anincline or to be set at angles not allowed with a standard gravity door.A further need exists for a powered guillotine door system that can beused in water to catch rapidly moving animals moving down a run orchannel.

Standard gravity door cage traps have certain disadvantages that thecurrent invention overcomes. For instance, when using a gravity doorcage trap, if the door has an obstruction such as a small stick or snowunder the door, the door may not close completely, thus not locking thedoor. Another disadvantage is that a standard gravity door catchmechanism may allow the door to open if the trap is turned over.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A trap door system is provided in the present invention that has anadvanced powered guillotine or sliding door system. The features of theinvention enhance the allowable uses of a guillotine door or slidingdoor type animal trap. More than one powered door may be incorporatedinto the trap door system. In particular, a guillotine style cage trapmay include a powered sliding door on opposing ends and use a doublesupport mechanism in connection with the trigger for the trap.

Each trap door system includes a frame with at least one sliding entrydoor. The entry door is situated within an entry door guide assembly inwhich the door slides and locks. A release assembly interacts with acatch assembly on the trap to release the door. The door is powered by adoor spring arming assembly that includes compression springs arrangedon spring slide bars. The compressing springs are engaged by compressingthe springs using a door spring stop. The catch assembly holds thecompression springs under compression until the release assemblyoperates to release the catch arm. The release assembly operates througha release rod that is biased by a trigger compression spring to move andrelease the catch arm. The release assembly maintains the release rod ina position with the catch assembly ready to be trigger through a supportmechanism having a trigger. The trigger on a support mechanism is movedto release the catch arm via the release rod.

The compression springs rapidly force the door to close when the catcharm is released. After the door closes, an extension spring, also knownas a catch assembly stop spring, biases the catch assembly catch arm andcauses the catch arm to move back into place and return to its position.The extension spring is situated across the arm of the catch assembly.The catch arm locks the door in the closed position.

The present invention allows more varied use of cage traps on inclines,uneven ground, in bad weather conditions, and in water or under water.The powered sliding door for guillotine or sliding door traps mayoperate at various positions and angles, and enhances the capability ofthe trapping process through speed and force. Because of such speed andforce, the powered sliding door allows the trap to be used in water tocatch rapidly moving animals moving down a run or a channel, wherein thedoor slices through water rapidly and operates more effectively than acommon swing-style cage door or a gravity powered slide door.

A more open side door trap may be provided with a powered sliding doorto improve trapping of animals and adaptation of the trap to improvedcage designs or corral type traps.

The embodiments of the invention include a tip up cam action for thecatch assembly of a powered door trap whereby the catch assembly locksthe door of the trap after the door is released and closed. Further, thecatch assembly may be provided a catch arm with an adjustable length andan adjustable extension spring in tension biasing the arm to close thecatch assembly, whereby the catch assembly can be adjusted according tothe power needs of the door by changing the length of the arm and thetension of the extension spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left-hand isometric view of a powered guillotine-style entrydoor cage trap with a trap door system in accordance with the inventionhaving an intermediate link and release assembly.

FIG. 2 is a right-hand isometric view of a powered guillotine-styleentry door cage trap with a trap door system according to the inventionhaving an intermediate link and release assembly.

FIG. 3 is a combination of a top plan view, a front elevation view and aside view of the trap door system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the trap door system.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the elements of the invention providing thepowered entry door assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a trap door system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The figures show a frontentry advanced powered guillotine door cage-type trap frame 9. Theguillotine door or sliding door cage-type trap is generally rectangularin shape like that of a box. However, those in the art should appreciatethat guillotine door or sliding door cage-type traps may have any shapethat has an interior volume large enough to house an animal to betrapped.

The trap door system is used on a trap having a cover or housing (notshown) fashioned of mesh, webbing, metal, PVC, or other materials anddesigns. The trap includes a trap frame 9 that can be made of multiplestructural elements. The trap includes an entry door 1, which in thepresent invention is enhanced by a powered trap door system furtherdescribed below.

The trap door system includes an intermediate release assembly orrelease assembly. The release assembly is triggered to release a catchassembly 4 that operates the powered door 1. The release assemblyincludes a support mechanism 10 for supporting a trigger attached to thesupport mechanism and a release rod 6 attached to the support mechanismfor interaction with the catch assembly 4. The release rod 6 is springloaded using a combination of a trigger compression spring 8 that bearsagainst a shaft collar 7. The release rod 6 interacts directly with thecatch assembly 4 or interacts with an intermediate link assembly 12between the release rod 6 and the catch assembly 4 to manage setting thetrap while pressure is placed on the catch assembly 4 by the powereddoor 1.

The catch assembly 4 includes a catch arm that pivots to engage aportion of the door 1 when the trap is set. The catch assembly 4 locksthe door 1 in closed position after the door is released. The depictionin the FIGS. 1-4 show the door 1 in the open position engaging the catchassembly 4 and being powered by the door spring arming assembly 2. Theintermediate link assembly 12 on the end of the release rod 6 holds thecatch arm 4 against the door 1 when the door is open and the trap isset. The compression springs 3 rapidly force the door 1 to close whenthe catch arm is released. After the door 1 closes, an extension spring14, also known as a catch assembly stop spring, biases the catchassembly 4 catch arm and causes the catch arm to move back into placeand return to its position. The extension spring 14 is situated acrossthe arm of the catch assembly 4 and causing a cam-release action of thecatch assembly when moving back into position. The catch assembly 4locks the door 1 in the closed position after door release.

The door spring arming assembly 2 includes compressions springs 3 and aspring slide 13 on the door 1. The compression springs can be varied inlength and compression strength according to the design of the trap andthe power desired. The spring slides 13 can be varied in length anddesign to adjust to the needs of the physics of the door 1.

The compression springs 3 and spring slides bars or spring slides 13slide along door guide bars or supports on the door 1 to engage a doorspring stop 5. Once the catch is set and the spring slide bars 13compress the compression springs 3 and engage the door spring stop tobias the door 1, the door is ready to be forced closed when releaseassembly is triggered. The door 1 slides within an entry door guideassembly 15 that may comprise a pair of opposing rails in which the dooris retained and slides down in when the door is released. The doorspring stop 5 is situated at the top of the guide assembly 15. Aclearance gap 17 is provided between the guide assembly 15 and the trapframe 9 that allows the spring slide bars or spring slides 13 to be setwithout the trap frame 9 interfering with movement of the spring slides13.

The depiction in the Figures is a single sliding door 1. However,multiple doors could be used or applied and not affect the operation ofthe advanced power door system. The support mechanism assembly 10enables use of multiple powered doors using the present trap doorsystem. Additionally, more than one type of door might be used in a trapthat uses the features of the invention. For example, a bait-type door11 could be placed opposite of an existing door, as well as a powereddoor 1 could be mounted on either side of the trap. The doors may fireand lock all at the same time through successive movements of more thanone release rod 6 that operate several intermediate link assemblies 12and catch assemblies 4.

Referring further to FIGS. 1-5, the relationship of all of the firingcomponents of the powered trap door system is shown in an exemplaryguillotine-style trap door system. With respect to the method foroperating the trap, the trap is set by the operator lifting theintermediate link assembly 12 with the left hand and then pushing thesupport mechanism assembly 10 forward, thereby setting the triggermechanism or trigger 16. The release rod 6 is placed in a slot on theintermediate link assembly 12. Then, the operator lifts the catchassembly 4, which pivots, with the right hand, while at the same timelifting the door 1 above the catch arm of the catch assembly 4 with theleft hand and then lowering the catch assembly holding the door inplace. The operator places the catch arm of the catch assembly 4 underthe end of the intermediate link assembly 12. The catch assembly 4 holdsthe door 1 in place until the trigger mechanism or trigger 16 is movedcausing the release assembly to operate and release the catch and, thus,the door. The catch assembly 4 has a catch arm that may be varied inlength so as to adjust for door pressure caused by the compressionssprings 3 of the door spring arming assembly 2.

The door 1 is armed by pulling down on the door spring arming assembly2. The spring slide bar 13 compresses the compression spring 3, and thespring slide bar 13 is turned to lock the spring arming assembly inplace on the spring door stop 5. When an animal pushes, grabs, pulls,bumps, or moves the trigger 16, the sequence of events reverts from lastto first releasing door 1 and locking the door in front of the trap withthe catch assembly 4. If a bait door is provided, the bait door 11 willlock in back of the trap with a release rod 6. Because of the length ofthe catch assembly 4 and the length of intermediate link assembly 12 inrelationship to the components of the support mechanism assembly 10,powering the door 1 has very little effect on the sensitivity of thetrigger mechanism 16.

Embodiments of the powered door system in the form of a guillotine doorsystem or sliding door system can be seen in FIG. 5. The door springarming assembly 2 and its components support the power sliding dooractions so as to maximize the door efficiency. The combination of theentry door guide assembly 15 and the door spring arming assembly 2places the door 1 in proper alignment to its components and holds themat correct angles and relationships so as to allow maximum use for theirfunctions. The door length in relationship to the compression springs 3on the doors is long enough to allow for fully powered door travel whenthe trap door 1 is released. The arrangement of features in the presentinvention allow for new advanced methods of trap design andmodification.

In another embodiment the trap door system includes a slotted end doublesupport mechanism similar to support mechanism 10. The release assemblyin combination with the double support mechanism includes both first andsecond release rods 6 on the front and rear of the support mechanism 10.The rear release rod then serves as a lock and a release for a seconddoor on the respective end of the trap. The second door is situated in aentry door guide assemble as discussed above and may include a doorspring arming assembly for providing a powered door in accordance withthe features of the invention. An additional catch assembly 4 may beprovided, or the second release rod may act as the catch mechanism.

1. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door systemcomprising of an intermediate release assembly, catch assembly, a doorspring stop, a door spring arming assembly, and compression springs, orother combinations of them and their parts, mounted onto or part of aguillotine door system with spring slide bars, so door and doorframewill slide down side rails or entry door guide assembly with power whenarmed, set, and released by the catch assembly.
 2. A cage-type “advancedpowered” guillotine door or door system comprising of one or morecompression springs that are compressed and held in the firing positionby a door spring arming assembly type apparatus sliding up or down doorguide bars and, or supports.
 3. A cage-type “advanced powered”guillotine door or door system comprising of compression springs thatcan be of varied length.
 4. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotinedoor or door system comprising of compression springs of variedcompression strengths.
 5. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine dooror door system comprising of a door spring arming assembly.
 6. Acage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door system comprisingof door spring arming assemblies that can be made of varied lengths anddesigns to adjust to the needs of the physics of the door.
 7. Acage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door system comprisingof a door spring stop.
 8. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine dooror door system comprising of an extension spring across catch assemblyto serve as a controller which forms a lock for the door and releasewhen cage trap is turned or moved on its side or upside down.
 9. Acage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door system where thedoor spring stop is on the front of the entry door guide assembly facingaway from the interior of the cage.
 10. A cage-type “advanced powered”guillotine door or door system in which the catch assembly arm is variedin length so as to adjust for door pressure.
 11. A cage-type “advancedpowered” guillotine door or door system in which the catch assemblypivots.
 12. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or doorsystem in which a spring is connected to, part of, or used to cause thecam-release action of the catch assembly to move back in place after thedoor is released.
 13. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door ordoor system in which the rear release rod on a double support mechanismserves as a “combination” door lock and release for a door.
 14. Acage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door system in whichthere is a clearance gap between the trap frame and the entry door guideassembly to allow for door arming assembly and spring movement.
 15. Acage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or door system in which aspring is connected to, part of, or used to cause the cam-release actionof the intermediate link assembly to move back in place after the dooris released.
 16. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door or doorsystem in which the rear release rod on a, part of, or connected to asupport mechanism serves as a door lock for the traps doors.
 17. Acage-type “advanced powered”guillotine door or door system in which thefront release rod on a or part of a support mechanism serves as arelease for the traps doors.
 18. A cage-type “advanced powered”guillotine door or door system in which the release rods on a doublesupport mechanism serve as a “combination” door lock and release for athe traps doors.
 19. A cage-type “advanced powered” guillotine door ordoor system in which the door length in relationship to compressionsprings on the doors would be long enough to allow for fully powereddoor travel when trap door is released.